Ms Marie Donnelly:

First, it is not straightforward. A number of models for doing this exist. We have agricultural resource as a raw material for anaerobic digestion. We also have experience of the co-operative model in Ireland. Milk, for example, is collected from 100 farmers and brought together to a central location. This idea of collecting the raw material from a number of farmers and ensuring quality and getting it right is something of which we have experience and we have structures in place that can deliver it. I do not underestimate the cost of the investment, but it is an investment and that means there is a revenue stream. It is an opportunity for farmers.

I will go back to the German farmers. The reason that they put the photovoltaic, PV, panels on the barn was not because they were pretty but because they were a source of revenue for them. Likewise there is potential for this to be a source of revenue for farmers once the structure of the investments is in place. I agree with the Deputy that it is a big mountain to climb, but it is an opportunity and we need to think about it.